Hopefully this edition finds you looking forward to some warmer weather days and getting outside with your beloved pet friends! As I write this, I just returned from spending some quality time at the Denver Dog Show. This is a huge event with dogs attending from all around the country. It is the best place ever to go see all the shapes, sizes, colors, and varieties of our beloved pet dogs! I was able to observe several different types of shows and competitions, including dock diving, a crowd favorite. In case you missed it, you might want to check out the video about it on my YouTube channel.
The dog show is a great place to go and see what different kinds of dog breeds there are, and talk to the competitors about their dogs. You can find out things like, if a certain dog is generally a good family breed, if they have high energy, if they have a coat that is difficult to take care of, prone to allergies or other health issues, etc. . Of course, we always recommend adopting don’t shop, but you can go to an event like this and at least find out more about the different breeds because you never know, you might even find purebred dogs in the local shelter. If you missed it this year, be sure to mark your calendars to attend next year, as it is truly a fun and worthwhile way for an animal lover to spend a chilly winter day, warm indoors, and getting to enjoy all the beautiful dogs!
Speaking of taking great care of beautiful dogs, and cats, it might be a good time to remind folks that in addition to our holistic offerings for your pet’s care, at Aspen Park Vet Hospital, we also offer all manner of surgeries and even offer modified anesthesia dentals. In fact, just yesterday we had a board certified surgeon come and perform a cruciate repair surgery for us. We can often offer these surgeries at a better rate than emergency clinics down the hill, without compromising quality. Hopefully you won’t need us for that, but if you do, we are here for you and your beloved animals.
You might have missed the big dog show, but still have the chance to check out the next amazing animal event in Denver, the Rocky Mountain Horse Expo at the National Western Complex. The Horse Expo is THE place to be for horse lovers from around the state. The Horse Expo is one of the largest and most popular horse events in the country. It's a great place to learn about horse training, health, and care. You can also meet and network with other horse lovers from all over the region, like me!
So why should you go? Well, becauseThe Rocky Mountain Horse Expo features a wide variety of clinics and demonstrations by some of the top horse trainers and experts in the country, including me. You can learn about everything from basic horsemanship to advanced training techniques, and I will be discussing the use of positive reinforcement. It’s also a great place to shop for the latest and greatest in horse products and services. You can find everything from saddles and bridles to feed and supplements.
We will be having a booth there for the ResqRanch, letting folks have a spin at the prize wheel, and signing people up for our summer programs. The ResqRanch, in case you don’t know, is a non-profit organization that rescues and rehabilitates horses that have been abused, neglected, or abandoned. We also offer educational programs, and this year we are partnering with the Jefferson Center to offer more opportunities for veterans and their families to get out and connect with horses and nature. Look for three of our rescue horses in the stable area at the expo. You can meet Emblaze, an off-track Thoroughbred; Cesar, a Wild Mustang; and Dominic, our trusty donkey. We are looking for volunteers to help us at our booth at the Rocky Mountain Horse Expo, as well as with the care of the animals during the event. If you're interested in volunteering, please contact us today! Not only will I be presenting about positive reinforcement training for horses, there will also be an opportunity for me to work directly with you and your horse, at the Expo. I can help get you off on a great start using positive reinforcement methods. So if you are a horse lover, and you have not done so already, now is the chance to make plans to attend the Expo, and have a great time!
There's something for everyone, from beginners to experts. So mark your calendars for March 15-17th 2024 and plan to be there. If you wonder what a positive reinforcement horse training session looks like, there are lots of videos about how we do on our YouTube channel. Come by the ResqRanch booth and say “Hi”, we are looking forward to seeing you there!
Thanks so much,
DrQ and the Crew of Aspen Park Vet and the ResqRanch where we train R+ Trainers, and YOU!